Re: Tell us your best advice for protecting identity online

Closely monitor your financial accounts. Make sure you create your personal Social Security Account with the the Social Security Admin. even though you may not be drawing Social Security checks yet (each SS# can create only one, and by you creating one then scammers cannot use your SS# to create one & steal your money). Put a credit lock on yourself with the three major credit bureaus and remember to put the “unlock” code in a very safe place. Create strong passwords, and change them at least quarterly. Do not actively use Facebook. Shred any snail mail that you receive before tossing it.

Re: Tell us your best advice for protecting identity online

I was a victim of fraud many years ago, so I have first hand experience unfortunately. Locking your credit won't protect you online, but it is an identity issue that could result if you do not take seriously, steps that will reduce your chances of having your identify stolen because of online internet access. To help minimize your exposure.. Protect your computer and web experience. There are quite few in the marketplace. Most of the good ones require a monthly or yearly subscription. The important thing is, there are many ways for you to get hacked when accessing the web, and online security is like a service. The more you scrimp, the more you increase your chances of being hacked. Go with nothing and your risking alot. A tool such as this will reduce the chances of vulnerability. Next, protect your web access at home. Learn about protecting your home network. In a nutshell, try to turn off the broadcast to your routers SSID or network name. Set up encryption for your network and password protect access to it. If you don't know what I'm talking about, that's not a good thing. Talk to an expert or research to learn more. Passwords. Use a complex password for all sites you register an ID for. Complex means the more characters you use the better. Make sure your passwords use a combination of lower and upper case letters, numbers and symbols if allowed. And, make sure you don't use common words. Mix up the characters so that there are no distinguishable words and use/subscribe to a password app/service such as Dashlane or 1Password or Lastpass, so that you don't have to worry about memorizing your password and more importantly, so it will make the process of creating complex passwords more convenient and safe for you, since you won't have to memorize them, or write them down! Never write them down anywhere....that's crazy. Password apps like these have counterpart apps for your phone, Mac or PC, so they'll be accessible and encrypted where ever you go. Protect your web access on travel and when you're out and about....like when you're using the Wifi at Starbucks or McDonald's. How? don't use them. Your session will be unprotected and in the clear for hackers to see. If you do need to access the internet while out and about, use Virtual Private Network (VPN) software or better yet, a VPN device to encrypt your public Wifi session. Or at the very least, use your phone or tablet and connect over your cellular account to surf the web instead of using Wifi. Again, don't know what I'm talking about, then talk to an expert or research to learn more. Understand these basic security topics more and you'll decrease (not eliminate) your chances of having your identity stolen. One last note in regard to credit locking.... Learn the difference between a credit lock and a credit freeze. Lock prevents access to your credit report, but you must file a lock request with all 3 bureaus (TRW, Experian and Equifax). A freeze locks access to your credit information period. Locks and freezes are not permanent so check with each bureau to see what options you have.